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Posted: 08/20/14

WT authorizes engineering
plans for Total Soccer water mains

by JERRY FRAEYMANObserver Special Writer

As part of preparation for the Total Soccer complex planned for the corner of 30 Mile and Powell Roads, Washington Township officials last week took a step towards bringing water to the site.
The Washington Board of Trustees authorized $217,000 for civil engineering design services from Giffels Webster (GW), the township's engineering consultant. The work includes surveying, geotechnical analysis, design and bid preparation services that will guide eventual installation of 16-inch water mains.
The approval allows GW to create engineering plans and specifications that will be used to obtain permits and construction bids for Phases 1 and 2 of the project.
Phase 1 consists of a 16-inch water main from along 30 Mile Road to Powell, then north on Powell to the Total Soccer entrance. Phase 2 is for a water main along 31 Mile Road, then south along Powell to the complex entrance.
Both water mains will connect to existing water mains running along M-53.
Phase 1 water main construction work is planned for spring 2015, with Phase 2 work occurring most likely in the spring of 2016.
In requesting approval to proceed with the engineering design efforts, Washington Township Supervisor Dan O'Leary said it makes sense to conduct planning and design work for the two phases at the same time. That will give the township the option of awarding a two-phased construction bid, if it desires.
O'Leary also explained that it is necessary for the water main work to be done prior to the paving of 30 Mile Road, Powell Road and 31 Mile Road.
Paving work for those thoroughfares follows the same phased approach as the water main work, with Phase 1 paving work already scheduled for the summer of 2015. Paving work is being done in partnership with the Macomb County Department of Roads on a shared-cost basis, with the county paying 40 percent of paving costs.
The county has already allocated money in next year's budget for Phase 1 paving.
For the water main work, GW estimates construction costs at $1.29 million and $1.26 million, respectively, for Phases 1 and 2. In addition to planning and design, GW will advise on the bid award, as well as provide administrative and construction inspection services, along with final construction plans.
Total Soccer is building a sports complex on 80 acres of property east of M-53 and north of 30 Mile Road that it purchased from the township in December 2013. The site will consist of outdoor and indoor soccer fields, along with volleyball courts, batting cages and a fitness center.
Washington Township has plans to build a new community center on 200 acres of land it owns in the same vicinity.